Glen Powell said his ex-girlfriend Gigi Paris is entitled to her "own narrative" of their breakup, as the actor addressed lingering questions about his chemistry with Anyone But You co-star Sydney Sweeney during a new interview. "I will always have nothing but love for her and respect for her," Powell told GQ on Tuesday, adding that people affected by a split will often tell different versions of events.
Powell, 36, acknowledged that "relationships are really hard" and said that when couples split "they each go to their own brunch, and they will each tell their own narrative." He said advice from Top Gun: Maverick co-star Tom Cruise — to "turn the volume down" on public noise — helped him cope with scrutiny. "Just remember you have your hand on that switch. You have your hand on the ability to turn up that noise or turn it down," Powell recalled. He said learning to trust his own judgment and "turning down the noise" has been "a real godsend."
Powell and Paris ended their relationship in April 2024 after more than three years together. Paris, 33, described the breakup as "shattering" on a June episode of the Too Much Podcast, saying Powell had framed his closeness with Sweeney as something he "had to do for my job." Paris told the podcast she felt she had two options: accept public speculation or "stand up" for herself and walk away. She said she chose the latter and criticized how the situation was handled, saying she felt "fed to the dogs."
Paris also said she had asked for basic respect and for Powell to deny rumors if they were untrue, saying he never once said, "No, I would never cheat on my girlfriend." The former couple had been linked in tabloids and social coverage after Powell and Sweeney were photographed appearing affectionate on set of the rom-com and during promotional appearances.
Sweeney's personal life was also affected: her engagement to Jonathan Davino ended after the film, and she attended Powell's sister's wedding in the days after the split, which intensified tabloid coverage of their relationship. Neither Sweeney nor Powell has publicly confirmed a romantic relationship.
In recent weeks, paparazzi activity has continued around the three actors. Powell was seen on an apparent date with Olivia Jade Giannulli, while reports say Sweeney has been the subject of attention from talent manager Scooter Braun. The renewed visibility of their social lives has extended debate about how film promotion and personal relationships intersect.
Powell's comments to GQ framed his response to the coverage as deliberate and private: he said he can choose how much of the public noise to amplify. The interview adds to a string of public statements and podcast remarks that have outlined competing views of the same events, with Paris asserting she felt publicly undermined and Powell emphasizing personal boundaries and media management.
The story underscores the pressures public figures face during film publicity and the way promotional behavior can feed speculation about off-screen relationships. Powell said he is focused on navigating that attention calmly and respectfully while acknowledging that others involved may legitimately hold different versions of what happened.